Defer hearing on sentence in contempt case, Prashant Bhushan to SC

contempt case in the apex court, had submitted before a bench headed by Justice Arun Mishra that Bhushan may file a review against the August 14 verdict which held him guilty of contempt of court.

Bhushan contended that "there would be gross injustice since there would be no occasion to examine the correctness of the findings arrived at in a suo motu criminal contempt proceeding before putting the convicted contemnor's liberty at stake".

The application says that failure to provide an opportunity to him to seek review of the August 14 verdict would be in violation of his fundamental rights. "It is respectfully submitted that the deferment of the said hearing, as prayed in the present application, would be in the interests of justice in view of the underlying public policy with respect to safeguarding liberty of a citizen under Article 21 till such time as his first appeal (in this case the review application) is considered," said the plea.

Bhushan said he seeks to file the review within 30 days from the date of judgment, as he is entitled under the law.

( With inputs from IANS )